At least 47 people were killed in an explosion and fire at a fireworks factory near Indonesia’s on October 26.

Businesses and experts are hopeful about a revival in Thai economy after the year-long mourning period for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej ends on October 29.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on October 25 signed a royal ordinance approving four controversial amendments to elections laws.

Indonesia said it plans to establish a centre for human evolution, adaptation, and dispersal studies in Southeast Asia.

Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu on October 24 announced that Russia is ready to assist ASEAN in preventing the spread of international terrorism, especially impeding the infiltration of terrorism into the Asian-Pacific countries.

Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich has called on the ASEAN countries and partners to have joint efforts, shared perspectives and strategic trust, in dealing with current challenges to maintain a peaceful and stable environment.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Lim Jock Hoi is expected to become Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) after ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to nominate him for the post, official sources said.

The defence ministers of China, Japan and the US expressed their countries’ support for ASEAN’s central role during meetings with their ASEAN counterparts in the Philippines on October 23.

Trade ministers of 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region will gather in the Republic of Korea this week to discuss the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

ASEAN Defence Ministers signed a joint declaration of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight over the East Sea.

Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich and a Vietnamese delegation attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) that opened in Manila, the capital of Philippines on October 23.

A ceremony was held in Rome, Italy, on October 20 to mark 50 years since the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 40 years of ASEAN-European Union (EU) diplomatic ties.

The Philippines’s security forces have killed Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the Abu Sayyaf militant group, in an assault in the southern city of Marawi.

A ceremony has been recently held in the US to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of US-ASEAN relations and the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN.